Aston Villa have had a torrid start to the 2025/26 campaign, failing to score a single goal in three league games.
Unai Emery's side have not quite hit it off like last season so far and come into this weekend's match versus the Toffees off the back of consecutive defeats to Brentford and Crystal Palace.
Villa's attacking duo Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers recorded a combined 42 goals and assists last season, but have looked far from their best at the top of the pitch so far this season.
Their opponents Everton, come into the game looking to make it three wins in a row, with former club captain Jack Grealish in a rich vein of form since joining the club this summer.
Can Emery finally get his season up and running with European aspirations in what will be a hostile evening on Merseyside.
Emery on new signings Elliot, Sancho and Lindelöf
Villa had a very reserved window by all accounts. They acquired back-up striker Evann Guessand from OGC Nice and Dutch goalkeeper Marco Bizot early on in the window.
But as deadline day loomed the club made three late move for a trio of proven Premeir League players in Harvey Elliot, Jadon Sancho and Victor Lindelöf.
The Spaniard confirmed all three will be in the matchday squad tomorrow, but feels time will be needed to fully understand his system.
"Every training session we are doing with those players is very, very important to adapt as soon as possible physically and in our structure tactically."
Emi Martinez Situation
It has been a whirlwind of a summer window for the Argentine international, who future at the club has remained uncertain for large part of the summer.
Now that he will remain at Villa Park, Emery himself was pleased to confirm he is fit and ready versus Everton.
"Staying here, Emiliano Martinez, for me, it's good news for us. I'm so, so happy. For me, he's the best goalkeeper in the world. We have the best goalkeeper in the world."
Even with the noise in the media Emery was adamant his first choice goalkeeper is acting as a true professional.
"His commitment to Aston Villa is always a massive, huge commitment to do everything, trying to send a good message inside and outside. He’s always training to get his best, always respecting Aston Villa, and that’s not changing."
Team news against Everton
Polish international Matty Cash is fit and available despite a small injury scare on international duty.
Emery also confirmed Saturday will come too soon for Andres Garcia, Boubacar Kamara and Amadou Onana.
Meanwhile Ross Barkley is inactive for off the field reasons.
"We have Ross Barkley unavailable as well, he has a personal issue and I think he will come back soon but not yet."
How his side can improve
Despite the poor start to the campaign Emery felt confident that is squad are more than capable of turning things around, especially with new faces in the building.
"We have to keep our motivation for how we were performing with the players we have and those who joined. I'm so, so happy with the structure of the squad we have now."
"I'm excited about how we're going to respond."
He also feels international football is a great way to size up the form of his squad.
"The players who were with their national teams as well, like Matty Cash scoring goals and playing well, like Morgan and McGinn as well, playing consistently."
“They have objectives with their national team and when they are there it’s very important for us how they are working."
Thoughts on tomorrow's opposition
The 53-year-old was not short of praise for David Moyes's side.
“They won the last two matches, playing fantastic. They won last time away at Wolverhampton playing fantastic."
Emery feels he has done enough homework himself to come out on top, but understands it will be a tough match in a hostile atmosphere.
“I watched those matches, analysed those matches, and they’re playing good football. They have experienced players. It’s a club with a new stadium and they’re excited, the supporters, the players and the club.
“It’s the Premier League and I want to play matches like this. To play in Everton with the new stadium, for me, individually as a coach, it’s a privilege to be there.”